Nyaope addicts work as taxi marshals

A drug addict working as a taxi marshal in Soshanguve. Photo: Patricia Mafabatho

The nyaope addicts in Soshanguve are trying at their level best to feed their habit without stealing from anyone. It has been years now since they came up with the idea of making money through being taxi marshals. This came after they were tired of being beaten up by the taxi drivers and community because they were stealing from them.

Taxi driver, Mahlari Mashiya from Soshanguve Block L said that what the drug addicts are doing is a good initiative because it keeps them out of trouble, but at the same time it is killing their jobs hence they have to give them R2 for every person they bring to the taxi, “There is no solution to this, but it reduces crime” said Mashiya.

Drug addict, Bongani Mdluli* (27) from Soshanguve Block H  said that they regard what they do as their everyday jobs and they are helping the community while trying not to be a burden to their families. Mdluli said: “This is business to us but other people look down on us and some taxi drivers do corporate with us”

It seems as though they are really trying to be good citizens and they are helpful to the community, however Mahlubi Fadana (65) of Soshanguve Taxi Association said: “Their help is somehow a danger to the community because they steal from some of the commuters” Fadana continued to say they have had many reported incidents of theft in their offices, and the SAPS in Soshanguve is not helpful at all.

Mbetseni Sibongile who is a student at the Tshwane University of Technology does not condone what the nyaope addicts call their jobs, she said that she does not feel comfortable around them because they can steal from you while they get you into a taxi.`

The addicts say that they believe they are helping the community even though they are treated badly.

*Name of the source withheld for their protection